On 1 October, Sanctum Inle Resort will become Myanmar’s first upscale hotel to open on the shores of Inle Lake. The 94-room resort looks to capitalize on the renowned tourist destination, known worldwide for its stilted wooden homes, floating vegetable gardens and fishermen, who propel their boats across the water with a singular, onelegged rowing style.
The resort offers four room categories, including a pair of suites with full vistas of the lake, and a window on some of Asia’s most remarkable markets, pagodas and stupas. While the rooms range in size from 40 to 150 square meters, all feature lofty ceilings, natural wood floors,, plush beds, air-conditioning and cable TV.
“In a region long closed off to the wider world, we’re opening the doors on an experience of accommodation that celebrates removal and contemplation,” said Philippe Arnaud, the resort’s general manager, “Our location invites this sort of mind-set, and our design does, as well.”
To encourage exploration of the area, the resort’s team has developed eight tours ranging from a half-day cycling excursion to Red Mountain Estate winery to a full-day trip to Kakku’s ancient temples.
Traditional dancers and musicians from the Shan, Intha and Pao tribes will gather on the property to mark the grand opening and celebrate a sunset barbecue buffet dinner with cocktails and candles floating around the resort’s jetty.
Just as the architecture of Sanctum Inle Resort blends the traditional and the modern, the event will also include a fashion show of recycled garments, fireworks display on the lake, and DJ spinning the decks at the resort’s Cloister Bar.
